The Carney administration is proposing legislative modifications to authorize law enforcement to conduct searches and seizures on mail sent by Canadians. The suggested change is tucked away in the 2026 spring economic update, specifically on page 145 out of the 167-page report.
According to the document, the government aims to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act to empower law enforcement to lawfully search and seize mail as sanctioned by an Act of Parliament. This proposal appears unrelated to other measures outlined in the economic update, unlike other legislative adjustments tied to initiatives detailed in the document.
A spokesperson for the public safety minister clarified that the proposed change does not permit warrantless search and seizure. Instead, it would enable law enforcement to obtain warrants for all types of mail. Presently, officers can only secure warrants for packages and mail exceeding 500 grams.
Recent law enforcement investigations have uncovered instances of drug smuggling operations utilizing mail services provided by Canada Post. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has previously advocated for this change. Since taking office a year ago, the Liberals led by Prime Minister Mark Carney have been striving to enhance the powers of police and intelligence agencies.
The government initially introduced Bill C-2, which sought warrantless search and seizures for mail under 500 grams. However, following criticism from opposition parties and civil liberties advocates, a new bill, C-22, was tabled. Currently, lawmakers are deliberating on simplifying data access for police under C-22.
While the exact wording of the amendments in the economic update remains undisclosed, the public safety minister’s spokesperson mentioned that these changes are less extensive than those proposed in C-2. Prime Minister Carney recently defended the concept of lawful access, emphasizing the importance of granting police additional authority to access information or communications.
The inclusion of this public safety issue in the spring economic update has raised questions, but the finance minister, François-Philippe Champagne, defended the decision during a news conference. The proposed changes will undergo debate in the House of Commons before a vote. Following key byelection victories and support from five floor-crossers, the Liberals secured a majority government, increasing the likelihood of passing the proposed legislation.